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A 2016 Volkswagen XL1, one of about 250 built, is being offered at auction in the Netherlands with an estimated value of around $140,000. Volkswagen rated the diesel plug-in hybrid at 261 mpg on Europe’s test cycle and up to 31 miles of electric-only range; those figures do not make it a straightforward way to save money on fuel.
A 2016 Volkswagen XL1 with just over 1,000 miles is being offered at auction in the Netherlands, with an estimated value of about $140,000, according to InsideEVs, citing the auction house. The rare diesel plug-in hybrid was rated at 261 mpg on Europe’s test cycle, but its limited production and collector appeal make it a costly curiosity rather than an obvious way to cut household fuel bills.
The car is listed on Catawiki. The auction house’s estimate is around $140,000; the source report does not give a sale result or confirm that the estimate is a final price. InsideEVs describes this example as being in excellent condition inside and out, and says its odometer shows just over 1,000 miles.
Volkswagen built about 250 XL1s. The model debuted in 2013 after a development program that InsideEVs says lasted 12 years. Its design pursued Volkswagen’s “one liter” goal: using one liter of fuel per 100 kilometers. The report says this example is a 2016 model, while the car and project were introduced earlier.
The XL1 pairs an 800cc, two-cylinder turbo-diesel engine with a plug-in hybrid system and a 5.5-kilowatt-hour battery. Volkswagen’s European-cycle figure was 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers, equivalent to about 261 mpg under that test measure. The car was also rated for up to 31 miles of electric-only driving. Those are manufacturer-era test and range figures, not a guarantee of results in ordinary use.
Why the XL1’s Price Is Not a Fuel-Saving Plan
The auction highlights a tension between engineering efficiency and everyday affordability. Even if the XL1 achieves exceptional fuel economy, a purchase price near $140,000 is far beyond the cost of a typical commuter car. Fuel savings alone would not make the auction estimate an easy financial proposition, especially because the vehicle runs on diesel, whose price can also fluctuate.
Its appeal is more plausibly tied to rarity and automotive history than to payback at the pump. A very small production run, carbon-fiber construction and unusual powertrain make the XL1 distinct, but buyers would also need to weigh the realities of owning a specialized, older vehicle. The source report characterizes a used electric vehicle as a more practical alternative for people chiefly seeking to avoid fuel purchases; that is a comparison, not a claim that the XL1 is intended as a mass-market solution.
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Volkswagen’s One-Liter Car Experiment
The XL1 grew out of Volkswagen’s attempt to build a car capable of using about one liter per 100 kilometers. According to InsideEVs, the development effort was backed by then-Volkswagen chief Ferdinand Piëch and went through several iterations over 12 years before the model reached production. Only around 250 examples were made.
To reduce energy use, Volkswagen used a carbon-fiber body and chassis, a teardrop-shaped exterior and two offset seats. The car weighs about 1,852 pounds and has a reported drag coefficient of 0.189. Its plug-in system was added late in development, InsideEVs reports, and the car came with a removable charging unit stored in the trunk.
The low-drag design came with compromises. The XL1 produces 68 horsepower and, according to the report, takes nearly 13 seconds to reach 60 mph. Volkswagen said at launch that it needed about eight horsepower to maintain a steady 62 mph. These figures help explain the XL1 as an efficiency-focused experiment, not a conventional performance car.
“The XL1 needed about 8 horsepower to sustain a steady 62 mph.”
— Volkswagen, as quoted in the InsideEVs report
Auction Outcome and Ownership Costs
The source report does not state when the auction will close, whether the car has a reserve price, how many bids it has received or what it ultimately sells for. The approximately $140,000 figure is an estimate attributed to the auction house, not a confirmed transaction price.
The listing description is reported as saying the car is in excellent condition, but the available material does not provide an independent inspection, service history, battery-health assessment or details about warranty coverage. It also does not establish what maintenance, parts availability, taxes, shipping or import costs a buyer might face. The 261-mpg rating and 31-mile electric range are test or rated figures; actual results depend on conditions and the car’s current state.
Sale Price and Listing Details
The next confirmed milestone is the auction’s close and publication of its final sale price, if the vehicle sells. Prospective bidders would need to review Catawiki’s live listing for the closing date, terms and vehicle documentation, then verify condition and ownership costs independently. Until a sale is reported, the $140,000 figure should be treated as an estimate rather than a settled market value.
Key Questions
What is the Volkswagen XL1?
The XL1 is a limited-production diesel plug-in hybrid Volkswagen developed as an ultra-efficient car. About 250 were built, according to the source report.
How much is this XL1 expected to cost?
The auction house estimate reported by InsideEVs is about $140,000. That is an estimate, not a confirmed sale price.
Does the XL1 really get 261 mpg?
Volkswagen’s reported figure is 261 mpg on Europe’s test cycle, equivalent to 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers. Real-world fuel economy can differ, and the figure should not be read as a guaranteed result for this used example.
How far can it travel on electric power?
The XL1 was rated for up to 31 miles of electric-only range. The source report does not provide a current battery test for the car being auctioned.
Is the XL1 a practical way to save money on fuel?
Not necessarily. Its high estimated purchase price, diesel powertrain and unknown ownership costs make fuel savings alone an uncertain justification. The car’s scarcity and historical interest may matter more to potential buyers.
Source: insideevs.com
